As San Francisco’s CISO,* Michael Makstman is charged with defending a city whose international reputation frequently puts it in the sights of cyber attackers. In the role since 2018, he talked with GT about his cybersecurity approach, and how the city has been closely watching federal and state actions as it looks to develop its own generative AI guidance. Makstman also co-chairs the Coalition of City CISOs, which launched in 2020 to help peers from large cities and counties share information and ideas.
1. What are the challenges of securing San Francisco?
Because of San Francisco’s unique space in the national arena, as well as international … with attention comes more cybersecurity risk. … We know that no matter what the technology we have, things happen. … So, as much as we’re putting attention on detection [and] prevention, we’re also doing a lot on responding. …We worked with our Department of Emergency Management to make sure that we have a unified plan. … It wasn’t enough to get IT and cyber folks together, we wanted the emergency side — the traditional emergency managers — to also understand their role in a cyber emergency. … We had our first citywide exercise last December.
2. How is San Francisco approaching generative AI?
I’m part of the team that is working under the city administrator on AI — specifically generative AI — guidelines. … We’re now getting ready to release the first set of guidelines [in December 2023]. We know this is a very changing environment and so it won’t be one-and-done. We want to support innovation that generative AI and AI can bring to city services, but in a very measured way that’s also considering the risks. …
Whatever the technology of the day is, we want it to be equitable. We need to make sure it d ..
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